RTC

A sheriff and a former pick-pocket team up to rescue street kids and find unexpected love in Chestnut, Illinois. I like to break down my reviews into several elements...

The heroine: "Light-fingered" Livy is a wonderful heroine, feminine without being stiff, and gutsy without being overbearing. With her past, it is hard to see how things could ever work out between her and Jake, but that's what makes for great story conflict!

The hero: Jake is a down to earth, selfless hero that would make any lady's heart patter. He only has eyes for Livy, though, which makes him all the more swoon-worthy.

The romance: Sweet sorghum molasses! Jake does a handsome job of pursuing Livy against his better judgement. Shy, reticent girl that Livy is, Jake's attentions are of necessity determined, yet gentle and sweet. They melted this reader's heart more than once--okay, a lot.

The plot: This is a page-turner for sure. I was constantly guessing until the end, and the plight of the children really makes this story unique.

The setting: While reading this novel, I felt like I was living the scenes. The details immerse the reader into the snowy world of Illinois winter but never overwhelm or slow the pace too much. The effect feels effortless and is a mark of Pam's incredible talent.

The theme: Forgiving ourselves and overcoming secrets in our past is hard. Everyone can relate to making mistakes they'd rather no one else know. But through the blood of Jesus, we have forgiveness and He gives us victory over sin. The prejudices about street kids are also addressed along with our need to "be Jesus to the least of these." Matt. 25:40. This leads me to my final point...

The faith element: Pam Hillman writes her faith into her stories so gently and earnestly, the reader never feels preached to, but at the same time there's never a question this book was written to minister and encourage. Another mark of excellent fiction writing. I was happy to find a good read that speaks of Jesus' blood and His power to cleanse us from sin.

The audience: Because of the subplot with the desperate street kids, people of all ages will enjoy this story. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves good fiction.

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As a fan of historical romance this book fit the bill but really it was so much more! I was drawn right into the story because of Livy O'brien but it wasn't just her story that kept me reading! Livy was such a strong person and I just knew that she and Jake's story would be good. It was the story of the children though that stuck with me and kept me turning the pages to see how things would ultimately turn out. I enjoyed the slow build of romance, it allowed me to get the complexities of the characters. There is plenty going on besides romance though within the pages of Stealing Jake. There was the suspense of saving the children, the feeling of Livy always wondering how she would keep the orphanage going, but always somehow making room for more. Anyone who enjoys reading historical romance that also provides a story that will capture your heart because of some of the secondary characters really should check this book out!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review. ( )

Title: Stealing Jake
Author: Pam Hillman
Pages: 384
Year: 2015
Publisher: Tyndale
My rating is 5 stars.
The reason I love books is because they can take my mind on an adventure or build up my faith; they are more entertaining than any other form or venue of entertainment. With a book, you can share with anyone over coffee or a coke. Above all, anyone can pass down to the next generation a love of reading. When I was a little girl, my Nana read westerns written by Louis L’Amour, Luke Short and others. In fact, she read them more than once in her lifetime. Now I have those books and I am adding my favorite stories and authors to my home library.
I read Stealing Jake in a day which tells you just how enjoyable the story is! There is action, adventure, mystery, intrigue and faith with romance intertwined. The greatest part of the story for me was seeing how characters learned that no matter what their pasts looked like, they were brand new creations when they turned to Christ!
As I read, it was a great reminder that all of us have a past and some of it we aren’t proud of, but God makes us brand new. When we are brand new, we have our faces up and are looking forward while walking one step at a time leaning on Him. The main female character, though in a new town and now a Christian, had a past she was afraid others would learn of and then reject her. Jake, who is the town’s deputy among other jobs, had to face a fearful moment that paralyzed him. Then he heard the Spirit speaking to his heart, giving him strength to conquer his fear, which allowed him to save lives.
For awhile it seemed the town and churches were ignoring the needs of children who were orphaned and had no hope. Then, out of a dark trial that enveloped the town came hope, renewal, forgiveness and most of all a brighter future for the orphans. Perhaps now you can take a moment to sit outside, watch the leaves change color, and read a wonderful tale!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

What a refreshing story to read from a new author to me. I loved the story from beginning to end. We meet Livy, also known as Light-Fingered Livy. She is hoping thst her past can be left behind as she starts a new journey. The story is set in the 1870s right outside of Chicago. There is much to take in as she looks around her at this town. It is almost like chaos as street children run loose with little to no supervision.

Livy knows some of the mistakes she has made and hopes thst she can turn her life around. We all do things we regret, but isn't it nice to know that we can be forgiven ? Her heart is filled with compassion for these children who don't seem to have a very healthy life. Can Livy help these children?

Jake is the deputy of this town and is very strong willed and determined to keep everyone safe. I don't think he had much patience for these children. There are many tough subjects the author tackles in this book with a gentle spirit. It is not easy to talk about abuse, shame, unforgiveness and working conditions that are painful and hard to overcome. The characters are written with an ease of confidence and a longing to forget their past. They both will come to realize that God has forgiven them and they can hold their head up high.

Overall the book is very entertaining and keeps the reader interested throughout the book. I loved how the author was able to take readers back to an era with the whisp of descriptive words thst placed you among the characters. I look forward to reading more books from this author who captured the spirit of the late 1800s in a delightful story.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review ( )